Softball Walks Off With 6-5 Win Over Manhattan

Emily Jarvis

Mar 17, 2013

STONY BROOK, N.Y.– Reigning Patriot League Player and Rookie of the Week Emily Jarvis (Hopkinton, Mass.) launched her first career walk-off home run as the Holy Cross softball team downed Manhattan, 6-5, in its final game at the Stony Brook Invitational on Sunday afternoon. The Crusaders move to 6-8 on the season while the Jaspers are now 5-6.

After a scoreless first inning, Manhattan's Elena Bowman led off the top of the second with a solo home run to left center field as the Jaspers put up three runs to take an early 3-0 lead. Holy Cross responded in the bottom half of the frame as junior Sarah Free (Claremont, Calif.) reached on a fielder's choice, stole second, moved to third on a single by sophomore Ashleigh Vargas (Wakefield, Mass.) and scored on a Vargas steal attempt, cutting the deficit to 3-1.

The Crusaders took the lead in the bottom of the fourth as Jarvis led off with a walk and advanced to second on a ground out. The freshman stole third and scored on a two-out RBI single by sophomore Emma Keough (Rochester, Mass.). Free then hit a two-RBI single to bring in sophomore Kelliner Croushore (Claremont, Calif.), who walked, and Keough to make the score 4-3, Holy Cross.

The Jaspers tied the game in the top of the fifth inning as Jocelin Whitmore hit a two-out home run to left field. Kate Bowen then singled and advanced to third on two wild pitches, knocking freshman Holy Cross starting pitcher Gennifer Durham (Abbeville, S.C.) from the game. Junior Julia Barrett (Gardner, Mass.) took over in the circle got Amanda Babcock to fly out to center field to keep the game knotted at four.

Holy Cross took the lead in the bottom of the sixth as Croushore walked and came around to score on a single by freshman pinch hitter Colleen Ahern (Northbrook, Ill.). Manhattan responded to tie the game, 5-5, in the top of the seventh as Emily Cutler singled and scored on a ground out, setting the stage for Jarvis' walk-off heroics.

Jarvis stepped in the box with one out in the bottom of the seventh and blasted her team-high third long ball of the season over the center field fence. She also now leads the teams in hits (18) and runs scored (17).

Barrett was credited with the victory in relief, moving to 2-4 on the year. She allowed one run on one hit. Durham pitched four and two-thirds innings and allowed four runs on five hits while striking out four in a no decision. Kelsi Redding started the game for Manhattan and went five complete innings, giving up five runs on four hits while striking out two and walking six. Amy Bright suffered the loss in relief, going one and one-third innings and allowing one run and two hits while striking out two.

The Crusaders will return to action Saturday, March 23, with a doubleheader at Pennsylvania beginning at 1:00 p.m. Holy Cross will be looking to avenge a loss earlier this season to the Quakers at the Rebel Spring Games in Kissimmee, Fla.

College of the Holy CrossDepartment of Athletics 1 College Street Worcester, MA 01610